Method and apparatus for pest deterrence

Abstract

A pest deterrent device attracts the attention of a pest with ultrasonic noise and then produces a series of flashes to drive off the pest. In one embodiment, the device continuously produces ultrasound, changing the ultrasound when a pest is detected. In another embodiment, the device does not produce ultrasound until a pest is detected. In a further embodiment, the flash charging circuit is used to modulate the ultrasound while the flash is operated. In a particular embodiment, four ultrasonic speakers are arranged in a series-parallel configuration with a total capacitance of about 0.2 micro-Farads achieve 120 dB of sound output with a supply voltage of about 12-18 V.

Description

STATEMENT AS TO THE RIGHTS TO INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to electronic pest deterrent devices and more particularly to pest deterrent devices that emit ultrasound to drive off animals.Pests, such as birds, deer, cats, dogs, or rodents among others, can cause significant damage to crops, buildings, stored goods, and landscaping. A variety of methods and devices have been employed to attempt and reduce the damage caused by pests. Some approaches use a scarecrow or replica of a predator, such as an owl or snake, to scare away pests. Unfortunately, pests often become accustom to these devices and they lose their effectiveness.Other approaches use noise, such as a series of small explosive devices linked to a slow-burning fuse, and / or propane guns to scare away pests. Such methods might be inappropriate in an area where the noise would be bothersome. Additionally, the p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

An efficient pest deterrent device uses a detector that provides a detection signal to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is used to directly generate ultrasound, as well as control the operation and timing of the device. For example, the microprocessor can detect if the device is operated on line or battery power, and change device operation to conserve power when the device is battery-operated. The device can thus operate in a variety of modes. On line power, the device alternates between two ultrasonic tones until a pest is detected, at which point the devices changes the ultrasonic output to a sweeping output. The ultrasonic sweep can be combined with a flash, preferably delayed from the onset of the swept signal by about one second. This delay allows the attention of the pest to be drawn to the ultrasound, and the flash to startle or otherwise drive off the pest. In a further embodiment, the strobe charging circuit's oscillator signal can be used to amplitude modulate (“AM”) the ultrasound to create noisy sidebands from high ultrasonic down to within the normal range of human hearing. This AM creates even more disturbing ultrasound and also allows an operator to conveniently verify sonic output but at much lower sound levels than the ultrasound.

Problems solved by technology

This AM creates even more disturbing ultrasound and also allows an operator to conveniently verify sonic output but at much lower sound levels than the ultrasound.

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